When Lu Yuan arrived at the Worship Hall, Qian Daoliu was flipping through the latest training records sent over from North Field. The booklet documented everything in detail, from Lu Yuan's draw with Xu Heng at Level 19 to his complete victory in their second match today. Even the final sequences of Soul Skill combinations, offensive choices, and defensive trade-offs were clearly recorded.
Qian Daoliu turned to the final page and looked up. "You won?"
"I won," Lu Yuan replied.
"Did Xu Heng hold back?"
After a brief moment of thought, Lu Yuan answered honestly, "He used his Second Soul Skill to its fullest. He probably did not hold back."
Qian Daoliu's gaze sharpened slightly. "There is no probably when it comes to victory and defeat."
Lu Yuan's tone was certain. "In the end, my spear struck first. The outcome is unquestionable."
Qian Daoliu did not pursue the matter. He closed the record booklet and set it aside before speaking slowly. "Your sparring training at North Field ends here."
Lu Yuan was not surprised in the slightest. From being completely suppressed by Xu Heng when he had first entered North Field, unable to fight back at all, to later forcing out Xu Heng's trump cards and barely managing a draw, then finally breaking through to level 21 and using Shock Edge to break the deadlock at close range and win their battle head-on, the tempering North Field could offer him had already reached its limit. This long period of targeted training had indeed come to an end.
"What do I need to do next?" Lu Yuan asked proactively.
Qian Daoliu took out a territorial map from beneath the desk, spread it across the table, and pointed directly at a central city near the top. "Go to Heaven Dou City."
Lu Yuan's gaze fell upon the map and instantly locked onto the marked location. "Is it for Qian Renxue?"
"Yes." Qian Daoliu spoke bluntly. "Xiaoxue is carrying out her affairs in Tiangou and lacks someone she can trust completely by her side. You will go assist her."
"Assist her with what, specifically?"
"Once you arrive, follow her arrangements." Qian Daoliu lightly tapped the map with his fingertip. "She has an established plan in Tiangou. For now, you do not need to know the full picture. When you meet, she will tell you everything you need to know."
Lu Yuan understood. What he knew of Qian Renxue was limited to the scattered information revealed by the Eye of Destiny: she had assumed the identity of Xue Qinghe and was latent in Tiangou, burdened with a destiny node called "Latent." As for the deeper scheme, Qian Daoliu had never explained it in detail, and Lu Yuan had never asked.
"How should I meet her?"
"You do not need to seek her out yourself," Qian Daoliu said evenly. "News of your arrival in Tiangou will naturally be delivered to her. She will arrange the time and method of your meeting."
Lu Yuan nodded slightly.
Qian Daoliu pushed the map toward him and continued, "In three days, a team will depart for Tiangou. It will pass several Branch Halls along the way before reaching Heaven Dou City. You will travel with them."
Lu Yuan carefully studied the official roads marked on the map. "Who will lead this team?"
"Han Lie, a Level 67 Power Attack Type Soul Emperor."
With that, Qian Daoliu retrieved a thin roster and handed it to him. "The personnel traveling with you and information on the Branch Halls along the route are all recorded inside. Go back, study it carefully, and memorize it."
Lu Yuan opened the roster. The first page contained a detailed introduction to Han Lie, followed by information on two Soul Kings, several Soul Ancestors, and the directories of the three Branch Halls they would pass through.
"Will we stop along the way to rest?"
"Yes," Qian Daoliu replied. "Some Branch Halls will only handle supply transfers, while others will require stays of several days. If suitable opportunities for training arise along the road, you may take part."
Lu Yuan immediately grasped his meaning. "This journey is also meant to provide training along the way?"
"Did you think I was going to let you sit in a carriage and waste the whole trip?" Qian Daoliu's tone was calm, but every word was clear. "You have already mastered all that North Hunting Forest and North Field can teach you. Now that you are leaving Spirit City, you cannot simply find another place to practice your spear. You need to see more, experience more, and comprehend more."
Lu Yuan put away the map and roster, storing them properly. "When will I return from this trip?"
"That depends on how matters in Tiangou progress. There is no set date of return." Qian Daoliu did not give him an exact timeframe. "For now, focus on handling what is before you and cooperate with Xiaoxue."
Lu Yuan rose to take his leave. Just as he was about to step through the hall doors, Qian Daoliu's reminder came again. "Once you reach Tiangou, Xiaoxue's arrangements take priority in all things."
"I understand."
"Go. Prepare your luggage in advance."
Over the next three days, Lu Yuan suspended all practical sparring and devoted himself to studying the route, the functions of the Branch Halls, and local customs along the way. He packed a simple supply of clothes and necessities, then waited quietly for departure.
On the morning of the third day, several carriages stood ready outside Spirit City's eastern gate. When Lu Yuan arrived, a tall middle-aged man was checking sealed wooden crates. The man was around forty, with neatly cropped hair and a faint scar across his right brow that stood out sharply. Upon hearing footsteps, he turned to look over.
"You are Lu Yuan?"
"That's me, Senior Han." Lu Yuan recognized him as Han Lie, the Soul Emperor leading the team listed in the roster.
Han Lie waved a hand, his tone easygoing. "No need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle Han. Put your luggage on the carriage and get ready to depart."
Lu Yuan settled his luggage and looked around. There were not many people traveling with them. Aside from Han Lie, the other Spirit Masters each attended to their own duties. Some checked the wheels for stability, while others tightened the ropes securing the supplies. Everyone was steady and capable. No one tried to flatter or strike up conversation with him merely because he came from the Worship Hall. The atmosphere was solemn and orderly.
A short while later, Han Lie confirmed that all supplies and personnel were ready, then raised a hand toward the driver of the lead carriage.
The wheels began to turn, and the carriages passed one after another through Spirit City's eastern gate, following the broad official road northward.
Leaning against the carriage window, Lu Yuan silently watched the towering Spirit City recede behind him, until it eventually blurred into a single outline against the horizon. He raised a hand and took out the map, his eyes settling on the clearly marked route: north all the way, then northeast. At the end of the journey stood Heaven Dou City.
He suddenly remembered their parting long ago. Qian Renxue had once asked whether he would leave Spirit City someday. At the time, he had only answered that he would, without knowing where he would go.
Now, the answer was clear.
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